Koraput: In a rare outreach initiative, Rayagada collector Ashutosh Kulkarni trekked several kilometres through rugged hilly terrain on Monday to visit remote hilltop villages in Gudari block and assess the availability of basic amenities for residents living in the inaccessible region.Kulkarni, accompanied by Gunupur sub-collector Abhishek Dillip Dudhal and other officials, walked nearly 5 to 7km, climbing steep hills and crossing streams to reach the remote villages of Karlagudi, Rengapadar and Kepti under Madhuban panchayat.During the visit, the officials interacted with villagers and enquired about their access to essential services such as identity documentation, housing, road connectivity, drinking water, electricity, education and childcare facilities.Kulkarni said the team found that many villagers were facing difficulties in obtaining Aadhaar and ration cards. “We have come here to understand the ground realities and ensure that people living in the last-mile villages are not deprived of basic government services,” he added.Special camps will be organised soon to resolve documentation issues and ensure that all eligible residents receive Aadhaar and ration cards.Reviewing the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the collector directed the officials concerned to take steps to provide road connectivity to the three villages. He also instructed departments to ensure the supply of drinking water and electricity supply in the area.“The block administration has been asked to include all eligible families from these villages under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and issue work orders at the earliest. The block development officer (BEO) has also been directed to raise awareness among villagers so that construction of houses under the scheme can be completed quickly,” Kulkarni said.Officials also advised the child development project officer and the BEO to expedite the establishment and functioning of Anganwadi centres and schools in the area to strengthen childcare and education facilities.Dudhal said the district administration was committed to reaching the most remote habitations. “Our effort is to ensure that even the most inaccessible villages receive the benefits of government welfare programmes. We will continue such field visits to identify issues and address them on priority,” he added.Villagers of the three remote settlements expressed both surprise and happiness as senior district officials reached their villages and interacted with them about their development needs.Kulkarni said the district administration would continue visiting remote and last-mile villages in the coming days to assess the availability of basic amenities and ensure that residents receive all necessary government support.
